Easter Transformation Tree

I've often thought that I would like to take more opportunity to prepare for Easter.  This year, I planned a project for my family that had the added benefit of allowing me to meditate on the truths of Easter in an artful way. 

(as a side note, I think having children is one of the best things that can happen to someone who loves to do art but isn't very skillful at it.  You don't have to produce masterpieces...just something good enough for you and your children to enjoy...it's so freeing!)

My project started a couple of months before Easter.  As I read the Bible each morning, I deliberately looked for phrases in three categories and jotted them down in my journal: 

Journey to Bethlehem Dinner

I'll probably end up reposting this idea every year in December- just because it's been such a meaningful, unique tradition for my family for so many years.  

A lot of people try to imagine what the first Christmas must have been like. Not as often, I imagine, do people think about what the first Christmas Eve was like. One of my family's Christmas traditions centers around that very idea.

Every year since I was little, my family has held a "Journey to Bethlehem" dinner on Christmas Eve when we think about Joseph and Mary's long trip before Jesus was born. We try to only eat foods that would have been available to them at that time and that people might be likely to eat when they are traveling and don't have time for a lot of preparation. For example, figs, dates, olives, goat cheese, nuts, grape juice, dried meat.

We also turn off all of the electric lights and use only candles and lanterns for the rest of the evening. Not only are the lanterns a good reminder of Mary and Joseph, but they also set a certain atmosphere that is very conducive to family-togetherness. Usually, after we are done reading the Christmas story from the Bible and sing some Christmas hymns, we spend the rest of the dinner talking about old family memories. It's always a special time.

A couple of years when all of us kids were little, we actually filled the basement with straw and slept on it overnight. Now THAT was a memory- very messy clean-up afterward though, as I remember!

Passover

I've been a little missing from my blog lately- mostly because of our family's celebration of Passover (the preparation beforehand and the exhaustion afterward).  This year was the fifth time our family has celebrated a Messianic Passover.  (To read about past years you can look here and here).

We started out very simple, but each year we've added complexity (partly because I've done more research, and partly because our kids are getting older and comprehend more).  This year I was really struck by how thankful I am to be living in the church age; I have freedom in Christ to observe or not observe these kinds of holidays (Colossians 2:20) and also millenia of rich tradition to draw upon!

New elements we added this year:

I did a more thorough spring cleaning of our house before Passover than I have ever done (it didn't actually ALL get cleaned- but for me, it was pretty good :-)

I modified the instructions from this simple seder outline that was written with young children in mind.  (We did not actually celebrate communion around the table as she suggested, but I did think most of her explanations were very good-  If you are interested in our modified version feel free to contact me)

Just before the second cup of grape juice we washed each others' feet (remembering Jesus at the Last Supper)

 We included all of the basic, traditional Jewish foods in our meal.  (matzo, choroset, horseradish, parsley dipped in salt water, roasted eggs, and - although it is no longer a part of most Jewish Passovers- lamb- because of its connection to the original Passover)

M was able to actively participate by asking simplified versions of the four questions typically asked by Jewish children.

Highlights from this Year:

M was very, very interested in why we were doing so many strange things.  It was really neat to have her asking "why?" and having the answers be so meaningful.

G had a hard time waiting so long to eat while we talked about things.  Next time, I think I will try to do a better job feeding her snacks ahead of dinner.  :-)

For Next Year: 

I would love to include another family or two in our celebration.  In years past I didn't really have much confidence that I knew what I was doing and might have been embarrassed to have anyone else there, but it is beginning to feel more like an established tradition- even if I still don't really know what I am doing :-)

Does your family celebrate Passover?  I would love to hear helpful hints as well as links to other blog posts on the subject!

Christmas Storytelling

One of my favorite moments from our extended family Christmas get-together this year happened during our annual Christmas Eve Journey to Bethlehem dinner. After we had finished eating, one member of our family started telling M and G the true story of Christmas. After about 3 or 4 sentences that person stopped, and the next person picked up where they left off. We continued this way around the table until we had finished the story.

I think it was easier for M to pay attention when the story was told by multiple storytellers, and it was an opportunity for all of us to really focus on what we were celebrating. Hearing my brothers and sister (who do not yet have their own children of their own) simplify the story down to a 3-year-old level was an especially unusual treat!

The Ghost of Christmases Past

 

To celebrate the first day of December (which here in Texas is appropriately COOOOLD!) I'm reposting some of the December and Christmas ideas that my family and extended family have done in the past. 

And...for some reason I'm particularly excited about Christmas this year so look for lots of Christmas-themed posts in the next few weeks.  (Hopefully I'll find time for posting them!)

Advent Log with candles, Scripture reading and singing (If you would like me to send you a copy of the list of Scripture passages, symbols, and corresponding hymns we sing each night please feel free to email me at kmagill1212 at gmail dot com)


 Sugared Cranberries

Journey to Bethlehem Dinner

Christmas Present Store

Aromatic Christmas Counters

Hand and Footprint Wrapping Paper

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you have a wonderfully joyful time with your family today!

(This year's nature Thanksgiving banner is simpler than last year or the year before because I'm scrambling a bit for time. We took our first family camping trip at the beginning of this week, and my laundry room is overflowing with heaps of dirty clothes right now!)

Jesse Tree Family Resources

For a long time I have been intrigued by the Jesse Tree tradition that a lot of families and churches participate in during Advent. It seems like a neat way not only to focus on Christ in anticipation of Christmas, but to also remember what His birth means in the context of the rest of the Biblical story.

If you are interested in possibly starting this tradition in your family, you might take a look at these blog posts from families who have done the Jesse Tree in their homes. I think it's really interesting to see how each family has tailored the basic idea to fit their family's personality.

Also, at the end of this post you will find a collection of resources (printables, devotions, etc) for help in making your own Jesse tree.

Just Five More Minutes

As We Walk. Tired, Need Sleep (also has free Jesse Tree printables)

Catherine Fournier

SugarFishFrancisco Family Blog

La Dolce VitaThe Homespun Heart

Motherly Loving

Other Resources:
A list of Scripture readings and description of the tradition from CRI
Devotions for Children with corresponding questions from the Reformed Church in America
Patterns for the Symbols and directions for making the tree also from the RCA
Coloring Pages
Ready to Print and hang ornaments
Calendar with suggested additional activities

Christmas is coming...

We planted an amaryllis bulb today on the window sill of the playroom.  I'm hoping it will bloom by Christmas, but I may be cutting it a little close.

 At least we will have the anticipation of it's bright bloom all during advent.  I've been trying to find new ways for our family to revel in the symbolism of the anticipation of Christ's coming.  It is such a rich time, and after Christmas, I often feel as if I have not really taken the time or initiative to ponder it enough.

Do you have any simple advent traditions that you have found meaningful for your family at this time that you'd be willing to share?

Father's Day Tradition: Letter to Children

Last year I began a Father's Day tradition that I hope to continue each year. As Father's Day approaches I mull over one of my husband's positive qualities and write a letter to my children about that trait. I try to flush out what that characteristic looks like in real life and why it makes me glad to have married him. I finish the letter with a story or two from our relationship thus far that illustrates the characteristic.

On Father's Day I give the letter to R to read and then keep a copy of the letter in a binder for each of my children; some day when they are old enough I will give the collection to them to keep.

I'd love to hear about other Father's Day traditions- serious or silly! Please feel free to share in the comments section.

Our Family's Fourth Passover

Starting a new family tradition can be awkward or even feel silly. Sometimes that means that the tradition is not really a good "fit" for a family, but other times it just takes persevering and tweaking to get to the point where it is worthwhile. Such has been the case with our family's celebration of Passover. This year felt very comfortable and rich with meaning.

Part of the reason it felt so much more worthwhile than last year, I think, is because M has entered the "why" stage and was constantly asking us for the reason for everything that we were doing that was unusual. R and I loved the way this reminded us of Exodus 12:26-27

And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.'

We really like the idea of passing on our faith in this way- building rituals into our family life that are not only poignant to us as mature Christians but that also cause our children ask questions which provide natural opportunities for us to explain things that are precious to us. We like being able to teach without constantly "talking at" our children. The questions allow them to lead the way.

As with last year's meal we adapted some elements from Jewish tradition and found others ourselves.

Early in the day, M and I took out the suitcases and packed them with things we might need for a trip. Then we carried them downstairs and set each person's suitcase beside their chair. We also draped each person's coat over their chair (A modern equivalent of God's command to the children of Israel to eat "with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand.")

Before the meal, R hid pieces of leavened bread around the house for M to find. Once she found them we had her throw them out of the door.

We ate lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs (spring greens) and drank grape juice for our Passover meal.

In a traditional Jewish Seder an extra cup is set out to symbolize the anticipation of the Elijah figure who will come and announce the coming of the Messiah. In folk Judaism, Elijah is said to sip from the cup of wine at each house on Passover night. We set out an extra cup with grape juice to symbolize the presence of the Messiah Jesus at our meal. M was particularly interested in this cup. We told her that it was for the Guest at our table whom we could not see. (You can just imagine how this would affect the active imagination of a two-year-old!)

After the meal, R read Exodus 11 and 12 aloud while M and I looked at the corresponding pictures from The Read and Grow Picture Bible.

And that's it! There are a lot of other things we could have done together to celebrate Passover, and maybe we will in future years, but for now, I'm glad that we've kept it manageable; I think we will be more likely to keep the tradition alive if it is simple.
Does your family do anything to commemorate Passover? Please feel very welcome to share your ideas and memories in the comments section.

Resurrection Rolls

A friend recently gave me this recipe for Resurrection Rolls, and I'll be making them for Easter breakfast this year. Each roll is baked with a marshmallow in the center so that, when it's broken open, one discovers that it's hollow inside-- just like the empty tomb. (The first comment below the recipe gives a couple of neat ideas for making the process of making the rolls meaningful, too)

Our Family's Advent Tradition

Last year was the first time for this Advent tradition in our family. It is basically an expansion of the traditional advent wreath; instead of lighting five candles we light one for each night. Before the candle is lit we read two passages of Scripture together- one from the Old Testament that foreshadows the coming of Christ in some way, and another from the New Testament that highlights how it was fulfilled in Him. We talk about the significance together and then with candles lit and lights out we sing a Christmas carol or hymn about that aspect of Christ's coming.

Coming up with the Scripture passages was really a great Bible Study for Ryan and me. It also has really helped me to think more deeply about the meanings of Christmas carols. The log itself was made by my father. Isn't it beautiful?
It was made it out of a poplar tree that he cut down in our woods. He flattened the log, and then drilled holes in the top for the candles.

We would like to build on this tradition by coming up with corresponding symbols for each night and doing something hands-on with our children with those images, but we haven't worked out the details yet.

I would love to hear about ways that you help capture the anticipation of Christ's coming with your family. Please feel free to share!

Baby's First Laugh Party

I read recently that the Navajo traditionally throw a party to celebrate a baby's first laugh. Doesn't that sound like a fun idea?

Last Day of School Tradition

A lot of families have fun first-day-of-school traditions; my cousin's family has a cute end of school tradition as well.

They take a picture of their daughter stepping over the threshold of the classroom of each elementary grade. That way they capture the very last moment of "kindergartenhood" etc.

As she stands at the threshold, my aunt says something like. "This is the last moment of your being a kindergartner. When you step through that door you'll be first grader. Are you ready?...One...two...three- step through!" (Hugs and excitement!) "Now you're a first grader!"

Isn't that fun?

Does your family have any fun traditions/ activities you do on the last day of school? I'd love to hear about them!

Pregnancy Letters

Children love to hear true stories about their family members- especially when the story involves themselves! They revel in all the little details, want to hear them over and over and remember them better than one might expect that they would.

With this in mind, I began writing a letter to M when I was pregnant with her, telling her the story of her time in the womb and her delivery. I wrote it envisioning that I would read it to her as a story when she was about six or seven years old. Now that I'm pregnant with baby #2 I'm beginning to piece together some of the elements of a second letter. (For me, pregnancy is perfectly suited to such a task because I become ridiculously sentimental during those months)

If you decide to write a similar letter here are some ideas for things to include:

- The circumstances surrounding the discovery that you were pregnant
- How you announced the pregnancy to different people
- Your feelings the first time you heard the heartbeat
- A description of where you were living at the time
- Your husband's and my prayers for the baby
- The different foods you craved or felt aversion for while you were pregnant
- Reactions of older siblings to the news (as long as they are not terribly negative! :-)
- A description of the seeing the baby for the first time in the ultrasound
- An explanation of how your baby got its name and your thoughts about the name
- A description of the unique ways in which the baby moved in the womb (did he have hiccups, etc)
- The weather, time of day, circumstances when you first went into labor
- Some of the less graphic details of the delivery
-Description of holding the baby for the first time

The more funny, interesting, and unique details the better! Above all though, I'm hoping that when my children hear their stories they get a profound sense of the excitement surrounding their birth and the fact that they were loved and wanted.

Have you done something like this? I would love to hear the details!

Just Mom and Me Having Tea

My husband's cousin Kim emailed me about a fun Bible study for mothers and daughters (ages 6-8) that she and her daughter have been doing. It is called Just Mom and Me Having Tea by Mary Murray.The chapter titles are, "God Made Me Special," "Friendship," "Family Matters," "Loving God's Word," "Getting to know Our Awesome God," and "Helping others." At the end of chapter one, the mother and daughter have a formal tea together. My cousin and daughter did the tea while her boys and husband were out at a ball game.

Doesn't this sound like a nice way to build fellowship (and a memory) with your daughter?

I know that growing up, my mother was very careful to create opportunities where we could talk privately about personal things with her (if we wanted to- she didn't press). Looking back, I am glad she was so deliberate about that.

My experience with my own mother and this special Bible study of my cousin's has got me thinking about my own daughter. In what ways will I try to facilitate closeness?

Maybe you have some experience in this area to share. Do you have traditions, special memories, or more subtle things you have done that have helped your daughter feel that she is special to you and can confide in you? I would love to hear them!

Friday Night Pizza Tradition

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From Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver:

Routines save time, and tempers. Like a mother managing a toddler’s mood swings, our family has built some reliable backstops for the times in our week when work-weary, low-blood-sugar blowouts are most likely. Friday nights are always pizza-movie nights. Friends or dates are welcome...We always keep the basic ingredients for pizza on hand- flour and yeast for the dough, mozzarella, and tomatoes (fresh, dried, or canned sauce, depending on the season). All other toppings vary with the garden and personal tastes. Picky children get to control the toppings on their own austere quadrant, while the adventurous may stake out another, piling on anything from smoked eggplant to caramelized onions, fresh herbs, and spinach.

Because it’s a routine, our pizzas come together without any fuss as we gather in the kitchen to decompress...and talk about everybody’s week. I never have to think about what’s for dinner on Fridays.

I like this idea, and have been toying with it for our family lately. It’s cheap (especially if you make your own dough), easy, and fun! Here is a recipe for basic pizza dough that I used the other night. (Turned out great)

Easy Pizza Dough

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

1. Combine flour, salt, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Mix in oil and warm water. Knead in bowl for about 5-10 minutes (until elastic consistency is reached) Sprinkle with flour when needed to keep from sticking to bowl or hands.
2. Allow to rise for 30 minutes to an hour. Knead again and roll out on oiled pizza pan.

Here are some additional tips:

- You can actually skip the kneading, rising step if you need a quick pizza

- For extra flavor, add 1 teaspoon dried basil, oregano, or garlic powder to the dough

- To keep the dough from bubbling, prick with fork

- Bake for 5-10 minutes without the toppings to allow the crust to rise a little

- At the very end, place pizza under the broiler for a couple minutes if you like the charred cheese effect